Acting head coach Sang Ndong has said he is in touch with 15 Gambians playing abroad, of whom 12 are professionals.

"These players have been contacted ahead of the African Cup of Nations qualifying round, which will start with a match against Sao Tome and Principle next September," Ndong said.

Three of the 15 players contacted are based in Sweden, three others in Belgium, and two in the Netherlands.

High hopes

The other leagues represented are Germany, Denmark, Finland, America and Tunisia.

Gambia has never qualified for the final stages of the Nations' Cup, but this time round Ndong's hopes are high.

The prospect of a clash with Senegal, whose World Cup exploits were roundly cheered in Gambia, is an exciting one for Scorpions fans, but Ndong insists there are more important challenges ahead.

"Before talking about our tie with Senegal, we have first to beat Sao Tome and Principe in September and Lesotho in October.

Foreign coach

"These six points will motivate the squad who will stake everything against Senegal's Lions," Ndong said.

To gain those six points Ndong, the GFA's technical director, is actively looking for a foreign coach to handle the team.

Gambia's first Nations' Cup qualifier is away to Sao Tome on 8 September.